Is this boat worth saving?
Here is the story of the monument boat.
When I was about 7yrs my father bought a boat, still to this day I'm not sure what make of boat it is, I remember going out in the boat several times back in the day.
When I turned 16yrs for unknown reason the boat was not used again....
I am now 33yrs and this 19ft half cabin boat has stayed in the same position for 17yrs, the elements have taken a toll on this boat and the tyres have become one with the concrete. The trailer springs are rusted, the decking ply wood is stuffed and various other bits and pieces have aged over the time.
My father after 17yrs wants to send the boat off for scrap metal and I can't let this happen because I can see the potential value of this boat if it were to get restored.
The boat is now mine providing I move it from it's location in Perth and take it down to Busselton where I live.
I have some questions for the guys who know there boating stuff..
Is this boat worth saving or just scrap it?
How can I move the boat down south? The trailer is not road worthy, If I replaced the tyres can the boat and trailer be pulled up on a tilt tray?
Does anyone know what Model or Make this boat is?
I have heaps of photo's and I will attach the important ones for you guys to inspect.
I would really appreciate everyones advice and help with this.
aalfred
Posts: 669
Date Joined: 13/06/09
As it is an old family boat I
As it is an old family boat I would say yes it is. But it will take time a quite a lot of cash. If you can do the most things yourself that would bring the cost down. If you have to get someone to do it, it is properly to expensive.
Trailer - 3500 or 1500 restoring
Engine - new about 15000
floors - ?
Tank- 1000
Radio- 350
Steering - 500
Electrics - 1500
and so on, and this is just a rough guess
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
Looks like a star, not sure
Looks like a star, not sure its worth saving, older boats and electrolysis can be a bitch.
Feral
Posts: 1508
Date Joined: 01/11/06
The biggest problem I think
The biggest problem I think will be your motor .. after that long is be suprised if it doesn't need replacing .. is it worth the money to you ? If so then by all means restore away ..
Tony Halliday
Posts: 2500
Date Joined: 14/06/07
I'd say yes if the hull is
I'd say yes if the hull is sound and little electrolysis rot in it.
Floors and other stuff are a cheap thing to do if you handy with the tools.
I'd scrap the motor, weld on a pod and put on a good second hand motor all for about $10k max,
toss in a trailer, some paint work and clears etc, plus good electronics and you up another $6k max.
so for $15k you can get the old girl back in the water and as good as new, even cheaper if you scout around.
cheers
Tony
Tony Halliday: ~Meals on Reels ~
It takes a strong fish to swim against the current. Even a dead one can float with it
"It is always in season for old men to learn." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)
"In a mad world only the mad are sane." Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998)
glastronomic
Posts: 892
Date Joined: 16/02/11
No not salvagable, I'll give
No not salvagable, I'll give you the scrapp value for it and take it away!
I need a new project anyway.
The engine should be still good.
Brand new one is less than $4k for a long motor and 2.6K for a brand new leg.
These donks are very hardy and it has been under cover.
just need a floor, electrics (easy 12 V) and a scrubb.
Trailer needs some attention but nothing my MIG welder cannot fix!
YThat the battery is still connected is a bit of a concern regarding electrolicys, but it should be well and truely FLAT
Travisd
Posts: 315
Date Joined: 07/05/11
just time
Start with the floor (if its rotten biff it. its not seaworthy no matter how much u spend) ....then trailer... $4000 max..
Just spent the exercice fixing a trailer up.. then sold it and bought a driveon anyway
Those old stars are built to last so don't give it away_ the scrap guys will give you 25% of what it is worth
Tony is on the money. you might even get that motor up to scratch if your lucky.
Baron Sportsman
Just the depth that Varies
chris raff
Posts: 3257
Date Joined: 09/02/10
Go For It
Clause is ...If you have the available time ...if your going to outsource labour it's gonna cost a small fortune...the only major cost I see would be putting a pod on and a late model 2nd hand outboard on her a few thousand there...then the the springs and tyres maybe a grand...a new ally plate floor a 6 x 4 sheets around $150 each...allow a couple of thousand for incidentals that add up...I think you could do it up nicely for under 10 G... not sure you'll get your money / time back on the resale ....however you will have the confidence of knowing the boat top to bottom...Otherwise if like watching lots of footy on the weekends compare whats selling for 10-15G vs doing her up...
“Intelligence is like a four-wheel drive. It only allows you to get stuck in more remote places.”
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18023
Date Joined: 11/03/08
keep the old tub. worth
keep the old tub. worth fixing imo. first thing to look at is connect a battery and see if the motor will turn over, no need for fuel, its just to see if it turns or siezed. if it turns then you could be in luck with the donk, a few seals and a good oil change and she might fire up.the flooring wouldnt be too hard as you just need a bit of marine ply, pull out whats there and sit it on the new stuff mark it out and cut, remember to seal oround the edges tho. then the old girl will need a fair bit of tlc
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
Beerzy
Posts: 6
Date Joined: 11/04/12
Out standing response from everyone
Thank you to all those who have replied, everyones input and ideas have helped me greatly.
I will see if the motor turns over. (cheers Faulkner Family)
Please keep the responses comming in guys, I am listening and learning from everyones comments.
What I have learn't is: you won't know unless you ask.
Great work guys
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18023
Date Joined: 11/03/08
that motor does look in
that motor does look in fairly good cond for its age. might even fire up and blow a bit of smoke clearing its throat.just dont let it fart for long if it does
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
TAPOUT
Posts: 885
Date Joined: 27/01/06
Not worth it. Sell it to me
Not worth it. Sell it to me haha
dodgy
Posts: 4576
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Star or early trailcraft is
Star or early trailcraft is my guess.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
Doooma
Posts: 791
Date Joined: 05/12/09
Sentimental
Mate, restore it... bugger the cost!!!
It has been in the family for so long.. how can you put a price on something that is sentimental??
Restore it... and maybe its something your kids/grandkids may grow into also!!!!
If the hull is sound... do what was mentioned above.. weld on a pod and stick an outboard on her...
Trailers you can pick up on gumtree 2nd hand for between 1000 and 3000 bucks, that are still registered..
On the other hand... if its not sentimental... piss it off for a carton of Jack Daniels!!!! ;-)
Beerzy
Posts: 6
Date Joined: 11/04/12
Certainly is sentimental
You are spot on mate,
You can't put a price on that boat for being in the family soo long (I will run that one by the boss hehe)
glastronomic
Posts: 892
Date Joined: 16/02/11
What is it with "welding a
What is it with "welding a pod on to put a manky eggbeater on it" ??
Seriously, these inboards are way better than your mom's cake mixer on steroids!
No need to spend money on all that, just get the donk running, looks like a Mercruiser 470 series; 140HP 4 cilinder 4 stroke.
A good service, new- coil/leads/sparklers/points/timing/waterpump/thermostat/impeller/new gearbox oil and a rebuild of the carburator plus some engine oils/fuelfilter/oilfilter should do the trick of motoring in comfort with this setup!
kane
Posts: 1752
Date Joined: 07/12/08
agree
at worst a replacement inboard setup either reconditioned or low hour second hand is a good option and ALOT cheaper than the expense of firstly installing a pod and secondly having to fork out for an outboard
Gooooone Fishin!
allrounder
Posts: 1853
Date Joined: 10/11/08
I have an old mercruiser manual
you can have if you want it.It may be of some use to you.
So tell me have you got your info from years on the water or hours on the internet?
sherbert
Posts: 4717
Date Joined: 10/09/06
I would save it
Unless you got money to burn, Then buy a new one
Be good to see the old girl on the water
Assassin landbase fishing club
Doooma
Posts: 791
Date Joined: 05/12/09
Not a fan
Im not really a fan of inboards... If something goes wrong its way easier to swap over an outboard...
They also take a a lot of usable deckspace...
If I was going to have inboard though... Id pick the volvo... not the mercruiser.... They seem to last longer and are a bit stronger going from all the reports I get from mates that have them..
snipesleher
Posts: 100
Date Joined: 02/01/10
Mechanic
If you do decide to restore yourself . Don't mind giving you advise on mechanical side of things. I am in bunbury That's a family heirloom and if you can get it going it would be better than buying new
Wesley
Beerzy
Posts: 6
Date Joined: 11/04/12
Thank you Mechanic
I really appreciate that mate, I may get back to you for advise
Tomcat
Posts: 614
Date Joined: 24/02/11
Merc
Don't think it's a 470 there are plenty of parts for the old 140 just google it
fisho-ron
Posts: 2539
Date Joined: 26/09/09
i think its a star boat
i think its a star boat mate, a freind had one and it looks the same shape as his was.
in regards to the inboard, easier to work on yourself if your mech minded, my cousin did a full rebuild on his 4cyl inboard himself and it cost about $2k all up.
since then he fishes with me reg and although my boat is a lot quicker so i get to fish longer than he dose he seems to use less fuel than me and i run a 2010 200 etec and they are preety good on fuel.
if it fires up and goes in and out of gear ok, i would stick with that for now and see how she runs, every thing else will follow as you move along the rebuild.
the trailer is very basic stuff mate, i spent 15 years making them so if you need advice send us a pm,
dont muck around trying to undo bolts, just get the small grinder out and cut all the bolts off and knock the pins out, take the axle off give it good wire brush clean on a grinder, repaint with some anti rust and replace everything else, ie.. bearing kits, ubolts and springs.
either measure them or take the replaceable items down to say martins trailer parts and they will match stuff up for you.
even electrics arnt to hard to do if you have something that is already there but needs replacing, just replace with new wire and get rid of anything thats not connected to anything.
good luck mate
Beerzy
Posts: 6
Date Joined: 11/04/12
Cheers Mate
I also believe it's a Star Boat, I remember a decal that had star on it years ago.
Good thinking about just grinding off the bolts, I wouls probably of been there for ages trying to free up the rusted bolts ay.
Dizzy
Posts: 753
Date Joined: 21/02/11
Before you turn it over, pull
Before you turn it over, pull the plugs and mist some 2 stroke fuel down the holes or squirt a little bit of very light lubricant to line the bores.
(Yes it's a 4 stroke, but a bit of 2 stroke fuel will provide upper cylinder lubrication.)
After sitting for that long you need to give it every chance and definitely want to avoid scoring the bores - prelubing will help prevent this.
Also remove / replace the air filter, inspect the intake system and all hoses connected to it for perished rubber (PCV, vac advance etc) to ensure it's not going to suck a pile of old rotten shit through the engine,
which could destroy bores, burn valves etc etc.
Clean and replace spark plugs if necessary and reinstall.
Change the oil and filter. Drain carbs.
Check cooling system / water pump / hoses etc
When ready, firstly disconnect coil (so it won't fire) turn over on the starter motor to slowly prime the oil galleries, mist a light lube down the carb to further prepare upper cyclinders etc.
(This is assuming it's not seized)
Check that the carb / fuel lines are not leaking fuel as old seals will now be subject to pressure from the fuel pump.
Be 100% sure there are no fuel leaks before reconnecting the coil.
Reconnect coil and check each lead for spark if you know how. (spare plug will do, just earth the thread / ground electrode, turn engine over and look for spark - disconnect all other leads first or she might fire - make sure you note which lead goes to each cylinder)
Then connect it all up and hope she fires.
This way you'll give the engine the best chance possible and minimise the chances of damage upon startup after she's been sitting so long.
As for the gearbox / leg, also check oil levels, preferably replace before startup.
If she fires, all well and good.
(Whether it purrs or runs like a pig is another matter
)
If not, and she turns over it's basically going to be an issue with ignition or fuel, which is where it might get tedious.
A full carb kit would be best up front, but I've seen some OLD engines fire and run on OLD carbs.
Good luck :)
Beerzy
Posts: 6
Date Joined: 11/04/12
Great Advice
That is really good advice mate, You obviously know what your talking about.
I will certainly follow those steps with care when I get to the stage of firing up the engine.
Really aprreciated.
glastronomic
Posts: 892
Date Joined: 16/02/11
The distributor on these
The distributor on these engines has a tendency to flog out the rotorshaft bearings, this will show up in uneven running and play on the shaft.